The Arsenal boss admitted: "There is no way we can
carry on with only one striker. "Bendtner is being treated now and
will come back on Friday for tests. If he is out For another two
months, we will need to buy someone, absolutely."
Dane Bendtner returns to the club for a series of
medical tests this week after missing Arsenal's last 14 games with
a groin injury. And with Robin Van Persie unlikely to play again
this season, Wenger needs more firepower.
Wenger said: "There is a 50-50 chance we'll sign
somebody. Even if Bendtner is OK we will look around and if we find
a good bargain we will still do it."
Unlike other potential targets, Cole would be eligible
to play in this season's Champions League. And crisis club West Ham
would not stand in the way of his departure for the right
price.
But there was bad news for Wenger last night
when Atletico Madrid confirmed they have signed a pre-contract deal
with Gunners whizkid Fran Merida.
Midfielder Merida, 19, was regarded as the next
Fabregas when he was snapped up from Barcelona in 2005. But he has
run out of patience over his lack of first-team opportunities and
will move to Atletico when his Arsenal contract expires in the
summer. Wenger admitted: "I don't know for certain if he has signed
but I fear the worst."